Decline of Environmental Democracy in Georgia

Statement of Environmental Protection Group of the Public Assembly of Georgia 

on the Decline of Environmental Democracy in Georgia

Tbilisi, October 1st, 2025

The Environmental Protection Group of the Public Assembly of Georgia expresses grave concern over the current political developments in the country, which have led to a significant democratic backsliding and weakened environmental democracy.

Recent months have seen a series of contentious actions by the ruling Georgian Dream party. These include adoption and enactment of a Russian-style undemocratic legislation that targets civil society and independent media, as well as a subsequent announcement to suspend the country's EU accession negotiations until 2028. These moves have been widely condemned by the international community and have triggered massive, ongoing public protests. The government's response to these protests has included the use of force, intimidation, and the demonization of dissenters as “foreign agents”. This overall shift has created an environment of fear and repression, which is now having a profound negative impact on environmental governance and public participation.

We have identified several alarming signs of this decline:

Hindered access to information and justice and erosion of public participation: Access to environmental information has been restricted, and the work of independent media and investigative journalists has been hampered, the judicial system's credibility is being undermined, reducing the public's ability to seek environmental justice and the impartial resolution of disputes. Simultaneously, we are witnessing an alarming regression in public participation in policymaking. Recent environmental legislation has been fast-tracked without proper discussion or consultation with civil society. Likewise, institutional reforms and the redistribution of administrative powers within the environmental sector are being carried out in a non-transparent and unjustified manner.

Weakening civil society and media: Recent laws passed or amended by the Georgian Dream party are deliberately designed to weaken civil society and critical media. This limits public participation in environmental decision-making processes and threatens the sustainability of environmental organizations by blocking their access to independent funding.

Repression of environmental defenders: Environmental protest movements are increasingly perceived by the state as threats. Participants face discreditation, intimidation, and repression. State propaganda attempts to demonize environmental defenders as “foreign agents” or “enemies of economic progress,” aiming to delegitimize their crucial work.

Political pressure on public servants: Anti-democratic legislative changes and repressive actions against pro-European public servants have weakened their safeguards and compromised ability to perform their duties with independence and integrity, including in the environmental field. As a result, the risk of political pressure, corruption, the dismissal and draining of experienced professionals from state agencies is increasing.

To reverse this decline, the Environmental Protection Group of the Public Assembly considers the following urgent actions: 

Release political prisoners: The imprisonment of political opponents and activists not only undermines democratic and fair governance but also reinforces a system of fear. 

Hold new, fair elections: Conduct new, free, and fair parliamentary elections under international supervision.

Depoliticize judicial system and state institutions: Ensure the independence and impartiality of the judicial system and other state institutions.

Repeal anti-democratic laws: Immediately stop policies that weaken civil society and critical media. This includes repealing restrictive laws that limit the freedom and funding of NGOs and independent media, and ceasing all efforts to demonize them.

Restore protections for public servants: End the repression of public servants and establish legal and institutional safeguards against political pressure. Depoliticize public institutions to promote their functional independence.

Ensure genuine public participation: Guarantee access to environmental information and conduct all legislative changes in a transparent manner with full consultation with stakeholders. Establish tangible and operational procedures for considering the interests of local populations when making decisions on natural resource management Halt repressive measures, including ongoing pressure, legal prosecution, and public discrediting against citizens and communities fighting for their labor, land, and environmental rights.

Strengthening support and involvement of international institutions is vital for sustaining democratic reforms and helping Georgia return to the path of European integration. The Environmental Protection Group of the Public Assembly of Georgia urges you to consider the following in your future operations:

• Apply political and diplomatic pressure to reverse its anti-democratic policies and stop the repression of dissent.

• Support civil society and independent media by helping to protect their freedom, funding, and ability to operate without fear of reprisal.

• Promote democratic and environmental governance reforms that ensure public participation, access to information and justice, and the protection of environmental defenders.

The Public Assembly of Georgia serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among Georgian citizens, public groups, professional associations, field experts, and diverse political forces. Its primary objective is to restore democratic processes in the country, develop genuine mechanisms for public engagement, and establish a civic agenda based on broad social consensus, reflecting the nation’s urgent and long-term needs as well as the will of its citizens. 

https://www.en.geoasamblea.org/home